Worthing Old Grammarians Cricket Club 1922 1966 (The Pre

worthing old grammarians cricket club. 1922- 1966. (the pre score book history) 1922 - a junior club was reported as being formed in

Worthing Old Grammarians Cricket Club. 1922- 1966. (The Pre Score Book
history)
1922 -
"A Junior Club" was reported as being formed in the January press. It
was formed alongside the Football Club. Membership restricted to 'old
public and secondary school boys'. Club colours were to be Royal Blue
and Gold. Press stated that 'several local lads' had founded the club
so that youths were able to play cricket before joining senior sides.
"Grammarians Cricket Club" was the name. However, as there were
numerous clubs' called Grammarians from the across the County, this
was soon changed to 'Worthing Old Grammarian's'.
First ever fixture, against YMCA on Wednesday 3rd May 1922 was washed
out, so Saturday 6th May 1922 saw the first match played. John Farrow
captained as Worthing Nomads were bowled out for 29 with MS Jones
taking 5-8.
WOG passed this on the way to a total of 75. Lewin Edwards topped
scored for WOG and was to remain a stalwart of the club right through
to 1954.
It was common practice for much of the pre-war period for the chasing
team to bat on after reaching the target. However, more often than
not, the chasing team struggled too and the match turned into a two
innings affair.
A merger with Worthing Nomads mid-summer saw attempts at running two
XI's, but apart from a couple of double weekends, this failed to take
off. However, Eric Firth and N Marshall had joined and they duly won
the Batting and Bowling Averages.
Their figures 159 runs at 14 and 24 wickets at 4 perhaps highlighted
that scoring runs wasn't easy. Regularly totals of under 50 were seen
and only 2 individual half-century's were recorded. Charles Skinner
came second in the batting averages with 7.3!
Of the 21 matches played won 7-drawn 2-lost 12 was the final record,
which was reported as a 'Successful Season'.
Matches were played at Broadwater Green, Homefield Park, Victoria Park
and The Sports Ground.
1923 -
At the AGM in February, WOG accepted the offer of Worthing CC's to
amalgamate and effectively form the 2nd XI, called 'Worthing A'.
However, they demanded and retained the right to have their own
committee and ran therefore 'parallel' to Worthing CC. This merger did
enable a higher standard of opposition as home games would be played
at The Sports Ground - an area north of Pavilion Road. Eric Firth was
appointed Captain, but replaced by C Markwick when job commitments
took him to Denmark. Markwick's performances, including the first
recorded Hat-trick, saw him soon playing for Worthing CC too. Cecil
Peasgood then took over as Captain. On field the record of 6-5-7 was
encouraging for the team still consisting principally of teenagers. MS
Jones had the top score, 78, as well as the best average, 17.3.
William Tree's 8-14 helped him top the bowling with 22 at 10 each.
Shoreham Grammar School had scored 28 in this match.
The team also played a couple of mid-week games under their previous
name of Worthing Old Grammarians.
Charles Skinner carried his bat for 47 not out in a total of 81 all
out at Shoreham St Mary's.
Southwick 'A' were bowled out for 25, East Preston for 42, and
Worthing Police for 37. The Police got their revenge the following
month when bowling WOG out for 30 (in one of those mid-week WOG
matches).
1924 -
Results of 12-4-4 saw further development. MS Jones retained the
Batting Averages with 275 runs at 21 with a top score of 62. His
record included carrying his bat for 33no in a total of 73 against
Worthing High School.
D McCormack won the Bowling Averages with 29 Wickets at 6.1 each. and
alongside Cecil Peasgood, 44 at 6.4 and Robert Pengelly, 47 wickets at
6.5, they formed a devastating trio of bowlers, taking 13 hauls of 5
wickets between them.
Pengelly also had the seasons' top score of 78no.
Team scores continued to be low. The club had all out scores of 73,
74, 35, 67, 32, 60 and 34 amongst it's results. Similarly, the
opposition's total's of 51, 60, 23, 53 and 32 fair little better.
Eric Firth had been re-elected as Captain for the 1924 season at the
'Combined' AGM meeting in April. Press reported those in attendance at
the AGM were nearly all from past and current 'A' team members. The
'WOG' connection proving to be strong.
1925 -
Worthing CC lost the use of the Sports Ground as it was converted into
the Tennis Courts that remain to this day.
Worthing CC therefore ceased to exist. Worthing 'A' continued as
before, with all their fixtures away. 8-2-6 for the record.
Eric Firth led for the 3rd season. Press again emphasised that the
Town should be proud of the 'Old Grammarian' spirit that continued to
drive the 'team' on.
On the field Jones (32w @ 5.3), Peasgood (65w @ 5.6) and Pengelly 47w
@ 6.7) well and truly dominated the bowling, with 144 out of the 148
known wickets taken. They took 14 hauls of 5 wickets between them in
the 16 matches, so at least one of them managed a significant
contribution per match. Pengelly's 7-4 figures were trumped by Jones'
8-19.
Peasgood however had 5 hauls of 7, three of which came in August
alone. He also had 12 wickets in a 2-innings match.
Batting wise Peasgood came top with 283 runs at 28.3 with a top score
of 84no out of a total of 132. He then took that 7-17. This is the
only instance in the club's history of such a match double (70+ 7w).
He also hit the only other half-century, 51no.
Pengelly took 5-9 as Shoreham St Mary's were rolled for 16 in May,
however a month later 'A' were dismissed for 19 themselves. Lionel
Watson made his first appearances; he would serve the club for over 30
years. Alongside Edwards he would be the principle link to what
happened in 1934.
In December it was noted that the proposed new ground at Broadwater
'Manor' would not be ready for 1926, therefore Worthing CC would again
have no team themselves for the following summer. 'A' would see only
away fixtures again arranged for 1926.
1926 -
Season results of 10-2-9 saw a 'winning' season for the 3rd year in a
row. The team was reported as being 'Worthing II' but the members were
still principally those that began in 1922 as the Grammarians.
The team had a Tour in August that would take in Steyning, Hailsham,
Battle, Heathfield and finally Hellingly Mental Hospital. For the
period this made significant news in the press. Hailsham recovered
from 8-5 to post 252-8 which is one amazing turnaround. 'A' made 97!
The tour party included many guests who proved to be more than useful
allies.
The first tour match at Steyning saw the Club's first ever century,
102, by Charles Skinner, during a 10-wicket victory chasing 168. 'A'
batted on to 288-7 which stood for many years as the highest total.
Alongside Jones, Skinner made another 100-run partnership. JK Matthews
made a couple of appearances for 'A' and would later go on to score
1000+ runs for the reformed Worthing side - and also represent Sussex
CCC.
Jones with 604 runs at 35.5 scored twice as many runs as the next man,
Skinner. He hit 5 half-century's and became the first - and last until
after WW2 to pass 500 runs. He also took 36 wickets at 9 each.
Pengelly's 64 wickets at 11 with 4x5w hauls only placed him 3rd in the
Averages, which were headed by Norman Fuente who took 31 wickets at 7
each.
Like many of the team, he'd not play another season for WOG/'A' as in
December 1926 it was announced Worthing CC would be re-starting at
their new Manor ground and a full merger of members would see the end
of WOG/'A' fully until the mid '30s.
1931 -
The WOG FC team had organised a one-off match against Storrington. The
footballers in the XI included William Woolgar, Cyril Childs, Lionel
Watson, H Muggeridge and John Denyer, who would all eventually form
the backbone of WOG CC team for the next couple of decades. For the
record the match was won, despite defending only 83 as Storrington
scored 52.
1934 -
There was no formal announcement in the press, but from late June
match results began to appear.
Only four matches were reported, with WOG winning three of them. They
were again called 'Worthing Old Grammarians' and would keep that name
now up until the 1965 season. Ernest Craddock share bowling honours
with Woolgar and would continue to do so up until WW2. Woolgar took 13
wickets in these 4 matches at 7 each.
The top score of 67no was hit (2x6, 11x4) by Leonard Joyes, who was
one of only a handful of players to represent the club before and
after the 1927-33 hiatus. It could be said that most of the original
WOG were in their late 20's, so were far from past their best by the
time of the re-start. The Football Club had retained the WOG name
throughout the time too, so the connection and association was still
strongly linked to that original formation back in 1922.
1935 -
Press reports in September stated "the newly reformed Worthing Old
Grammarians Cricket Club had a successful summer" - Results being
15-2-2. Home games were played at Homefield Park, The Rotary and
Victoria Park.
Local newspapers (Worthing Gazette, Worthing Herald and Shoreham
Herald) all continued to print full scorecards each week for all local
clubs - it wasn't until the 1950's that the papers' merged and
reporting reduced to the odd paragraph.
The principle players were again Woolgar (who topped the Batting
Averages with 307 @ 18) and Craddock (46 wickets at 6.4). Only half a
dozen players could average double figures as the era of
Bowler-friendly wickets continued.
Watsons' 67no being the top score of the summer, being one of only 4
half-century's made.
Woolgar himself took 40 wickets at 8 each. Cyril Childs had 5-3 and
3-4 which also include a hat-trick. AN Clark took a hat-trick in his
6-9 as Shoreham Grammar School made 22.
This season saw the first appearances by Len Punter and Ernest 'Harry'
Foinette, who by the time they left the club in the early 50's had
over 8,000 runs and 600 wickets between them. Punter went back to Old
Azurians and Foinette moved to Worthing who he served for many years
on and off the pitch.
1936 -
Again playing once a weekend, the results of 5-5-8 were a
disappointment after the previous summer. Opponents included
Broadridge Heath, Slindon, and Amberley as well as the usual
double-headers against Findon, Old Azurians and Clayton. Cyril Childs
was Captain. He'd play nearly 200 matches for the club in a long
career.
The Batting Averages were won by L Pullen, who only twice batted above
no.7 in the order and helped by a few not outs, including an innings
of 59no from no.10 he finished with 185 runs for an 18.5 average. (His
career Average finished on 15)
He did share an 85 run partnership for the 10th wicket with J Black
that would stand for 50 years!
Broadridge Heath made 19 as Woolgar took 6-7 and Craddock 4-9. Woolgar
topped the Bowling with 50 wickets at 8.1 each.
Childs, Watson, Edwards and Foinette all featured heavily with 10
players appearing in more than half the matches.
W Wells' debut season for the club saw 33 wickets at 12 each. Bowlers
were still having their say in most games as again only a handful of
players could be seen with >10 averages. The seasons' highest total of
210 included that last wicket record.
Home games again saw the club host sides at Homefield, Rotary,
Victoria Park and Durrington.
Elsewhere, a train carriage called the Princess Helen, was formally
opened as the new Pavilion at Lancing Manor.
1937 -
The season had started with reports of an exodus of players - Wells
and Brazier who had played 16,17 each of the 18 played were indeed
gone, but by the end of the 1937 season the backbone of the side
remained as before.
Of the 23 matches played, 14 were won, 2 drawn and 7 lost. Homefield,
Victoria and Rotary were 'home' for the summer.
William Semmons appeared for the first time. He would end the season
winning both the Batting and Bowling Averages. Helped by 5 not outs,
his 342 runs gave him an Average of 57. Heights previously unheard of.
His top score of 100no was the first under the 'WOG' flag, as the
previous hundred, by Charles Skinner, was as Worthing II.
He ripped out 31 wickets at 7 each too and alongside Woolgar, 42 @ 9,
Foinette 29 at 8 and Childs 31@10 there was always someone amongst the
wickets each game. With Childs, Semmons put on 103 for the 4th wicket
which stood for some time.
Frank Allen debuted in an innings victory over Ditchling. He hit a
rapid 61 in WOG's 170 before Ditchling made 67 & 70.
Top run-scorer was Woolgar with 358 with 3x50's. He also became the
first player to do a mini-double of 300 runs and 30 wickets in a
season.
1938 -
Two principle events occurred this season. WOG reached the knock-out
Cup Final (watched by over 400 at the Rotary) - and the tall, medium
pacer, hard-hitting, 19 year old Dave Rickard appeared in WOG colours
for the first time.
The route to the Cup Final exploded during the quarter-final, with
'Harry' Foinette hitting 102no in 62 minutes - his partner, Punter had
7 by the time he'd reached 50. This stood for over 70 years as the
quickest hundred scored for the club.
The final was a disappointment as Worthing Chipps skipper, C.White,
hit the winning runs off the first ball of the last over chasing a 98
target in their 20 overs.
Full season results - included the Cup - saw 25 matches, with 15 won,
7 draws and only 3 defeats.
The start of the season was pretty good too. Len Punter and William
Semmons came together at 13-2 and were not parted taking the score to
225. The 212 for the 3rd Wicket remains a record more than 70 years
later.
Foinette also happened to win the Bowling Averages, 51 at 7, just
ahead of Semmons 27 at 9 and Woolgar 51 at 9.7.
Foinette took a best of 8-21 and an astonishing 7-5 as Barns Green
made just 27. His third best figures, 6-23 were good too.
Helped by their Hundreds, Punter 572 at 31.8, Semmons 409 at 31.4 and
Foinette 400 at 28.5 lead the Batting.
Watson, Woolgar and Rickard all scored around 300 runs too. L Pullen,
Cyril Childs and Howard Jay all score over 100 runs.
A very exciting season it appears to have been - covered thoroughly in
the local press too.
Which perhaps encouraged local players to join up - Charlie Coleman
and Jay himself had joined and would remain for years.
1939 -
Only 13 matches were reported as played. 8 won, 1 drawn and 4 lost.
Homefield Park and The Rotary were "home".
The star player of the season was Dave Rickard, who doubled as WOG
FC's goalkeeper during the winter; he was to finish, very unluckily,
second in both the Batting and Bowling Averages. Despite 351 runs at
21 and 29 wickets at 5.3 he came behind George Cannons who scored 23
runs in 4 innings prior to hitting 86no and a final 109 runs at 27 is
a rather sneaky win. Having only 4 dismissals should have discounted
him, but 5 'innings' appears to have been the qualification. Guest
bowler, Norman Mercer, who was a Worthing CC stalwart, ripped out 12
wickets at 4 each from 13 overs to win the Bowling. This is by far the
fewest number of overs bowled to win the Cup. However, Rickard had
made a marker for future seasons. Foinette, Childs and Punter all
scored 200+ in the shortened season. Cannons, Semmons and another
Worthing CC guest, Denys Greenfield, all took around a dozen cheap
wickets. Perhaps decent groundsmen were thin on the 'ground' at the
time. Low scores feature heavily - having bowled Barns Green out for
55, WOG fell for 28. WOG did defend 81 against Clayton (56) though.
There was no repeat of the Cup heroics as WOG fell in the first round.
WOG played Lancing CC for the first time, bowling them out for 84
before surpassing that and then continuing on the way to 138 with
Greenfield's 40 supporting Foinette's 55. Rickard's 7-25 against Barns
Green were the best figures of the season.
1940 -
It is of little surprise that the season was cut short due to WW2.
Only six matches were recorded, 2 won, 1 drawn, 3 lost being the
results. Only 5 of the 24 named in the teams had been past, or would
be future, WOG players, (Foinette, Watson, Childs, Craddock and
Rickard) the remainder being guests. Of those 'Jack' Eaton played 5 of
the 6 games. He'd played for Sussex CCC on occasions as reserve
Wicket-Keeper. For WOG he had of course been a standard above.
He scored the only half-century of the summer and also took 16 wickets
at a little over 4 runs apiece, which nipped ahead of Rickard's 16 at
5.6 each. Rickard took the seasons' best 8-26 against Lancing CC, who
were ripped out for 51. As fixtures and player availability
fragmented, some of WOG's players joined Findon. Foinette ended up
winning their Batting Averages!
The following six summers were devoid of any local cricket. Rickard
missed years of playing from the age of 21 to 27.
When his final career figures are noted, the period 1940-1947 perhaps
cost him 250 wickets. Foinette feasibly the same level.
William Woolgar who took 200 wickets from 1931-39 and William Semmons
who had between 1937 & 1939 scored over 800 runs at an average of 31
(at a time when the club average was mid-teens) did not reappear after
the war.
1946 -
In March the club had plans to play during the summer, however,
pitches, fixtures and playing members could not be brought together in
time and it wasn't until August 1946 that a meeting held at the
Cricketers Hotel established future plans.
1947 -
28 fixtures had been organised over the winter. All but five being
away due to a 'chronic shortage of pitches' in Worthing area. 16 wins
and 9 losses with 3 cancelled. No draws to be seen - mainly as scores
continued to be low. Only 5 totals over 150.
Lionel Watson was the first post-war Captain. Len Punter was the star
batsman with a new record aggregate of 713 at 29.7. However, Ron
Edgson's late season 76no saw him jump to 187 runs at 31.1 to win the
Batting Averages.
Yet another season - and there would be more of course - where the
winning Batting/Bowling Average was not the principle player. That is
not to say Edgson wasn't a good player - during his time with WOG he'd
average nearly 26 in over 50 matches - but Punter could perhaps be
seen as robbed. Punter hit 4x50's and complimented this was 41 wickets
at 10 each.
He had 3x5 wicket hauls too. With Edgson, Punter recorded a 10-wicket
win chasing Portsmouth Bohemian's total of 163.
Chasing Clayton's 91 all out, WOG finished 20 short. Punter had
carried his bat for 42no.
Rickard also hit 4x50's in his 506 runs (Av. 22) and that went with
the record breaking 88 wickets at 7.1 each. 7 times he took 5 in an
innings, the best being 7-26. He took hat-tricks on consecutive
weekends in September. The highlight of Rickard's season was the last
match at West Chiltington. He scored 77 out of 162, then took 5-21,
including a hat-trick for WOG to win by 100 runs. He became the first
player to do the 500 run / 50 wicket season double. Foinette's 35
wickets @ 10 seemed lean.
Frank Allen had re-appeared and snared a few cheap wickets. He was to
remain for another 15 seasons and dominate the club, perhaps more off
the pitch than on it, during his time. His driving commitment to both
Cricket and Football Clubs can't be questioned as he held numerous
committee positions over the years. Fifteen year old Peter Bromley
appeared for first time.
"Home" games were played at either Broadwater Green or The Rotary
ground.
1948 -
A shortage of local pitches and the restriction on Sunday cricket
meant most fixtures were away. 13 of the 21 matches were won, 4
drawn/abandoned and only 2 lost. Hill Barn, Rotary and Durrington were
'home'. Unfortunately no averages were printed in the local press and
full scorecards weren't so common either, clearly the Sports editors
were saving time/not cricket fans. That said the reports from other
papers and details picked up from the local papers of the opposition
have provided much information. Len Punter scored his second hundred
for WOG in the seasons top score of 219 against Amberley in July.
In the 12 innings that are reported he scored 487 runs at 44 with 3
other scores of 50+. In August Rickard took a hat-trick in his 5-14.
Later in the month C.White (of Chipps Cup Final fame) and Watson put
on 75 unbroken against Ferring for 10th Wicket.
Foinette and Rickard also hit half-centuries during the summer.
Rickard took a reported four 5w hauls within 34 wickets at 5.7 each.
George Cannons name appears only in the press three times, however
that is for taking 6-50, 6-9 and 5-28!
Lesser performances are not known and so this season is mainly
'highlights' rather than inclusive of 'lowlights' too.
One performance cannot be missed. 'Jack' Eaton's 7-3 against
Watersfield (20) which remains the best ever 7-for analysis.
Foinette and Bromley also took 6-for's during the season as teams'
simply refused to open up games on the basis there was no guarantee
they would chase the target if what could be called 'lesser bowlers'
were used.
If a team was 30-6 there'd be no let-up at all as if that grew to 80
all out that could be more than enough!
In November press reported that a piece of land in Forest Road,
Worthing had been acquired on a 5 year lease. There was hope that
cricket could be played at the 'fine little sports ground' in 1950,
but as things developed the first cricket would not be played until
23rd June 1951.
1949 -
At the AGM in February a record 37 fixtures were announced. This
actually grew to 39 with a Won 22, Drawn 2,
Lost 15 record being the final analysis. For the 3rd year running,
Lionel Watson was skipper.
No centuries were scored, but Punter (99) and Foinette (90) came
close. Foinette had 2 other 50+ scores as he won the Batting Averages
with 576 runs at 21.33 Punter's 681 @21.28 came just 5/100ths behind.
Bromley (350) and Childs (402) also scored 50's along the way. Punter
and Childs put on 116 for the 1st wicket against Partridge Green in a
game they won by an innings.
The outstanding bowler was newcomer Ron Goble, a 24 year old
medium-fast bowler who took 97 wickets at 6.47 each. Stunning figures
in any era. He reportedly took his 100th wicket of the season in the
last game of the season, but the additional '4' wickets were taken in
the Knock-Out Cup, which for this seasons' Averages had been excluded,
otherwise he would have been the first to the 100 mark. He did have a
record 17-42 over the weekend of 11/12 June (8-14 and 9-28) when 16 of
those 17 were clean bowled. George Cannon's 47 wickets at 10.8 placed
him down in 5th place, but he did take a hat-trick.
Foinette took 47 wickets @ 8, Bromley 43 @ 9 and the returning
Craddock (first season since before the War) 19 @ 10.
Frank Allen's 47 wickets at 11.5 was his first real stamp on the side
although that unbelievably placed him 7th in the Averages.
The club also reached the Knock-Out final for the second time in their
history. They imploded to 25 all out in only 11 overs to lose badly.
Three club members, Andrew Joanes, RJ Adam and Peter Bromley were
selected for the Sussex Young Amateurs - playing alongside future
Sussex CCC 'stars' Robin Marlar and Don Bates. Over the coming
seasons' Bromley would play County League level for Streatham, only
reappearing for Tours and the odd match thereafter. A massive loss it
could be said.
His final bowling record is still astonishing: In 47 matches he took
nearly 150 wickets at just over 6 runs each with 12 hauls of 5
wickets, the best ratio of matches to 5 wickets by any bowler ever.
One 'star' name missing from the season was Dave Rickard who records
only two nominal appearances - nothing is noted whether he was injured
or working away, but a virtual blank season. I suspect Goble would not
have taken 100 wickets!
Goble's 97 wickets came in 248 overs, a strike-rate of a wicket every
15 balls. A debut season unlikely to be bettered.
Home games were still being played at Durrington Rec, Hill Barn and
The Rotary.
1950 -
Fixtures reduced to 35 for the summer, of 30 played, 10 wins, 2 draws
and 18 defeats, 5 were lost to the weather.
Again WOG reached the Knock-Out Cup Final. They completed the
hat-trick of defeats when only mustering 66-9 in chasing down the
Broadwater total of 138-7 from 20 overs.
Len Punter took over the Captaincy. The Club colours were now said to
be Black, Blue and White.
The club had hoped the end of National Service would mean more
members. However, 18 year old Bromley was still a huge loss as he
would be in the forces. Harry Foinette trumped Goble's previous season
by taking exactly 100 wickets.
By mid July he had 52 wickets at 7 each. The final average of 8.6 was
still astounding by modern standards. In all he took 8 hauls of 5
wickets, 5 of those being 6-fors. Dave Rickard had returned in full
force, with 72 wickets at 10.8 each with the seasons best figures of
8-33 amongst his 5 hauls of 5. Goble ended with 25 wickets at 11 each,
somewhat down on 1949.
Punter broke his own run-aggregate record with 752 runs at 20.9 to win
the Batting Averages for the 3rd time. Foinette 425 @ 17 and Rickard
517 @ 19 (with a top score of 94) came close behind. Rickard had again
done the 500 run / 50 wicket double.
Frank Allen took 9-28 as Arundel made 139. WOG only made 102, so
despite Allen's efforts they actually lost the match.
The last planned season of being somewhat 'nomadic' saw games at Hill
Barn and The Rotary.
The Forest Road Ground was getting into shape ready for the 1951
season.
1951 -
Forest Road wasn't actually ready for the start of the season as
hoped, with 'opening' delayed until 23rd June. Until then they played
at Hill Barn and Rotary. The first match at Forest Road saw a thumping
186 run defeat to Preston Nomads!
Punter retained the Captaincy and then the Batting Averages too with
692 runs at 27.7 with his 3rd and last Century, 110 being the seasons'
top score. Only one other player, Foinette with 379 @ 22, passed 250.
Won 9, Drew 4, Lost 13 were the results.
Watson, Rickard and Allen did all pass 200 runs but they were all less
than half the runs and less than half the average too.
Foinette 34 wickets at 14, Allen's best 70 at 12 and Punter 39 at 11.8
all came behind Rickard whose 77 wickets cost 9.9 each.
Allen had 8-24 and 8-19 in his 4x 5w to put up against Rickards 8-38
amongst his 9 hauls of 5 wickets or more in an innings.
WOG enjoyed a 10 wicket win against Amberley after Rickard and
Foinette took 5 wickets each in dismissing their hosts for just 47.
Rickard then opened the batting too (23no) with Punter (38no) to see
WOG home…and beyond!
A week later chasing Partridge Green's 57 (Allen 8-19) they made 39!
The day after, chasing Barns Greens 88, they made 72.
This was Punters' last season for the club. He'd played a reported 194
matches, scoring 4436 runs at 24 with 3 hundreds and 20 fifties and
won the Batting Averages on 4 occasions. His 3rd wicket partnership
record of 212 unbroken still stands to this day.
He also took 163 wickets at under 11 runs each. He went back to Old
Azurians and continued to rack up the runs for them.
1952 -
WOG reached a milestone with the opening of their Forest Road pavilion
before the game with Partridge Green on May 25th. It was to be used by
both Cricket and Football teams. The cost was shared between club
funds and an anonymous benefactor. In the match itself, 15 year old
Les Lenham, making his debut, scored 97. He would go on to win the
Batting Averages with 407 runs at 33.9 with 2 other 50+ scores.
Rickard returned to form with 531 runs @ 22 and 74 wickets @ 9.6 for
another 500/50 season double. He scored the seasons' only hundred,
101, as WOG racked up 234-6 against Dunsfold.
His wickets included a best of 7-9 among his 5 hauls of 5 wicket
matches. He won the Bowling Averages for the 3rd time.
Joining Rickard in the 500/50 double was Foinette with 588 @ 21 and 70
wickets at 9.9. His best figures, 9-55, were also the seasons' best
and also included a hat-trick. Ralph Parsons 30 wickets at 10 and
Frank Allen, 60 @ 14 came 3rd and 4th.
Watson was again a near ever-present, playing over 30 matches and
score 332 runs. Sadly, no record of his keeping statistics.
One match highlight to mention, as WOG were bowled out for 35 at
Goring, Lenham, batting at no.3, finished unbeaten on 25!
Lenham would join Sussex CCC as part of their junior academy and would
over the next 25 years only appear fleetingly until he returned in the
late 1970's to lead the club into a new era of dominance.
WOG had scores of 45, 36 and that 35 but did pass 200 on a couple of
occasions. Seven fixtures went unreported in the press.
Results for the season, played 28, won 12, Drew 3, lost 13.
1953 -
Press reports in April had WOG satisfied with the upcoming fixture
list being 'the best ever' - at seasons' end the results within the 31
matches played were: won 14, drawn 5, lost 12. 7 matches were
cancelled.
Further improvements had been made at Forest Road - including the
square which over an August weekend saw nearly 700 runs scored.
Foinette was skipper. 'Practice' nets on Monday's and Thursday's were
announced to entice new members.
Only the leading averages were listed in the Sussex CCC yearbook which
has Ron Edgson 341 runs at 34 in 10 innings with 4x50's leading the
Batting. Closely followed by Rickard 629 at 27 with 5x50's and
newcomer Alan Adams who scored a record 530 runs in a debut season
that still stands nearly 60 years later. They did come in 31 innings
at an average of 18 with a best of 87no of his 3 50+ scores.
Thereafter press reports and scorecards give us a good record - Lionel
Watson, Cyril Childs and John Denyer were still playing, supported by
regulars like Frank Allen, Harry Foinette and Ralph Parsons.
With newer players such as Mike Graham, Andrew Joanes and Les Lenham's
cousin, Ray Knight and for a few games Les himself, the club was well
served by talented all-rounders. Knight was a strapping 6'4 left-arm,
faster-than-most, bowler who as a child would enjoy summers' with Les
pretending to be Trueman and Statham. Over the next decade he would
become the spearhead and be simply too good for the level that WOG
played at. He'd eventually leave for a bigger challenge.
As a pair, Knight and Rickard were as devastating as Peasgood and
Pengelly in the 1920's. Perhaps later in the club's history Tony Watts
with either Gerry Dawson/Neil Hewitt in the 1960's and then Russell
Wood/Norman Johnson in the early 70's could approach them, but the
statistics, over a longer period, make them stand out alone.
This season saw Foinette with 35 wickets at 10.4, Lenham 16 at 10.7
and Parsons with 36 at 10.9 lead the averages - closely followed by
Rickard (50+ wickets again) who could console himself with yet another
500/50 season double.
Allen's 7-33 was the seasons' best. Some highlights: Winning by 10
wickets chasing Brighton Insurance's 41 (Knight 4-2).
Chasing Billingshurst' 58, WOG made 46. At Shipley the hosts were
bowled out for 11 with Staplin 4-1 and Rickard 4-7 doing the damage.
Rickard then helped himself to a 50 as WOG made 123-6dec, before the
host showed little better in their second innings to be all out for
49.
1954 -
A long list of fixtures saw 37 matches played, 16 won, 11 drawn and 10
lost. The club now provided 'free' parking as well as being able to
offer teas and refreshments to spectators. An extension was built to
the pavilion and a new concrete practice wicket was laid. In June
Harry Foinette resigned as Captain and left the club. He'd served for
some 20 years and his record as an "all-rounder" is second only to
Rickard's. In just short of 200 matches he scored over 3,500 runs with
15 scores of over 50, including that Cup Final Hundred. He also reaped
448 wickets at 9.7 each with 27 hauls of 5 wickets of more.
During the summer the press had a quarter-page article on him,
regarding his career as the biology master and sports master at
Worthing High School. It covered his time at Cambridge University
where his sporting prowess took him into the Athletic team. He later
played football for Grammarian FC and also won the odd Golf tournament
too. All-Rounder he certainly was!
He was replaced by Frank Allen who would then take up the post
'officially the following year and remain in the role until his
departure in the early '60s. The club had its first tour since before
the war with a four match venture to the West Country, taking in
matches against Shaftsbury, Crewkerne, South Wiltshire and Dorchester
Casuals.
On the field two outstanding seasons were had, by Ron Edgson who
retained his Batting Trophy with 717 runs at 23 with 4 scores of over
50. Adams again score 500+ runs, but averaged in the low teens.
Watson, Rickard, Graham, Denyer and the returning Peter Bromley all
scored fifties at various times during the summer.
Bowling wise, well, Dave Rickard blew all records away with 104
wickets at an average of just 6.66.
On 10 occasions he took 5 wickets or more. Including 9-11 against
Brighton & Hove 'A'. This remains the best figures in the clubs'
history. The match was a two innings affair, he took 5-33 in the
second innings too. 14-44 in the day.
The following Sunday he took 11-62 (7-38, 4-24) in another two innings
match. Not forgetting 7-23 and 8-23 in other matches.
In all his figures were 255.4-42-693-104. A strike-rate of a wicket
every 15 balls is astonishing. He also missed a few games!
When he'd passed 50 for the season he became the first bowler to take
500 for the club. Nearly 60 years later he is still only one of six
bowlers to pass that milestone. Despite all his efforts he was pipped
at the Bowling Averages by Peter Bromley, who took 28 at only 6.64.
Had he conceded a single run more he would have dropped below Rickard.
This was to be the first of three second place finishes in the
mid-1950's for Rickard, who would end up with 'second place' on six
occasions to go with 4 Bowling Cups. Bromley's efforts were helped by
the Tour, where on consecutive days he managed to help himself to 7-29
and 7-54. Lenham's influence saw Derek Semmence appear in WOG colours,
where he chipped in with 5-5 & 4-21 in one 2-inns match. Knight took
39 wickets at 12 and Allen 52 at 12.2 as eight bowlers scrambled to
take any wickets that Rickard didn't.
1955 -
Another 36 weekend, mid-week and tour matches saw 19 wins, 5 draws and
11 defeats and one abandoned.
A new batting star was Ian Pitt, who'd won Lancing Manor's Averages
the previous season. He had captained the Worthing and District
Cricket Junior Association during 1955 too. He was to move clubs'
again, to Worthing CC, before too long though, as his talent was clear
to see. He would return sporadically over the next decade and finished
with 1,000+ career runs for WOG.
He duly came top with 467 runs at 23 with a top score of 84no among
his 3 scores of 50+. Another newcomer, Phil Akam, was a 30 year old
all-rounder who had just been discharged from the Royal Navy. His
debut season of 493 runs at 22 and 72 wickets at 10.96 has probably
never been bettered. Six times he took 5 or more in an innings and
with Rickard's 74 @ 9 (with 7 x 5w) they formed another devastating
pair of bowlers each bowling well over 200 overs each. The Bowling Cup
was again won by Peter Bromley, who took 34 wickets at the
ridiculously low average of 4.9. This was mainly due to his tour
performances of taking 24-108 off 63 overs in the four matches he
bowled in where he took 7-35, 6-23, 3-9 and 8-41. David Duffield,
Worthing CC guest, took 8-16 including a hat-trick as Cooksbridge fell
for 41. Parsons and Knight also had their moments in their 20+ wickets
each.
Rickard, Allen and Adams all passed 300 runs but all averaged in the
teens.
The tour to the West Country took in Shaftsbury, Frome, South
Wiltshire, Dorchester and D&M School who played at the Bovington Camp
ground. Derek Semmence was given leave from Sussex CCC to join the
tour - duly hitting the season best 88.
Frank Allen continued to skipper with Rickard as Vice-Captain.
Press reported "Worthing Old Grammarians' Cricket Club is an
unconstitutional club, for it has no rules and stipulates only that
members must be good cricketers and good sportsmen" Speaking at the
Club Dinner held at the Berkeley Hotel, Allen said "we like it that
way and hope those who meet us like it too". The club was hoping to
focus on increasing junior members.
1956 -
37 Matches were played during the season - Wins 16, Drawn 5, Lost 16.
Frank Allen again Captained the side.
The club was looking somewhat thin of strength as they lost Edgson
(Worthing CC), Lenham and Knight to National Service, Ian Pitt was
working in Rhodesia and Andrew Joanes was teaching in the USA.
This meant intensive push for new players which didn't really
materialise as it turned out. As this and others clubs have found,
local players do show loyalty to their clubs if they are happy and new
members are sought from junior interest and new locals.
On the pitch WOG beat Old Parmiterians with an overthrow from the last
ball of the match.
Another mid-July tour, based at Shaftsbury, saw five matches played -
Shaftsbury, Frome, Shaftsbury Grammar School, Dorchester Casuals and
Bovington Camp. The Dorchester game was rained off. The touring party
consisted of more guests than actual WOG members. WOG always had a
wide circle of friends who'd join the tour, but weekend play was
elsewhere.
Players such as Harold Goodwin and George Renham (Azurians) joined
most tours and contributed well. However, the last match of the tour
saw WOG bowled out for 36, with Peter Bromley's 26 nearly 3/4 of the
total.
Dave Rickard carried the team almost single-handedly, being the
leading run-scorer, 611 at 30.5 and took 76 wickets in 283 overs at
9.9 each (the last time he'd do the 500/50 double for the club). Twice
in the season he did the match double of 50r/5w.
Phil Akam did his best to keep up, finishing second in the Batting
averages, but his 328 runs were at 13.7 and his 45 wickets came at
16.5 each. Alan Adams again was a near ever present and scored 422
runs at 13.6.
Frank Allen (200+), Mike Graham, John Denyer and Lionel Watson all
contributed to the runs on occasions.
1956 continued.
The Bowling averages were actually won by Ray Knight, who's 34 overs
brought him 13-67 and an average of 5.15. Rickard again finished
second despite being the principle bowler. Allen, Parson and the odd
appearance from Bromley saw wickets shared, but Rickard taking 9 hauls
of 5 included 7-48, 7-27, 6-26, 6-39 and 5-10 being the pick.
Two outstanding performances stand out. Rickard scoring 146 not out
with 5x6's and 23x4 followed by 5-21 to become the only player in the
clubs history still to have achieved such a match double. A month
later, the Worthing CC guest, Norman Mercer scored 96 not out followed
by 5-56 to almost match it. Elsewhere Ralph Parsons' 11.2-4-9-7 stood
out as the seasons' best. The annual club dinner at the Berkeley Hotel
saw Sussex CCC Coach, James Langridge and players, Don Smith and Ken
Suttle as guest speakers. WOG Captain, Frank Allen and Vice Captain,
Dave Rickard also spoke. The press seemed somewhat harsh in its review
of the dinner (not sure why they were present anyway) as the headline
"Speeches mostly Gay" found the mirth of all those, bar the dour
Langridge, in summing up what was wrong with the mindset of young
sportsmen of the time.
1957 -
Was a very significant season in the history of Worthing Old
Grammarians Cricket Club and ultimately its future incarnations,
'Manor Cricket Club' and 'Lancing Manor Cricket Club'. The move from
playing in Worthing to the Manor Ground, Lancing.
In February Worthing Council had abandoned its plans to build a school
on the Forest Road site - with the possibility of WOG playing home
game on the playing field - instead the ground was to be sold to
housing developers. The club managed to complete the 1957 season, but
then began a frantic search for a new home. In May they'd begun
reserving corporation pitches for the '58 season, but their
application to move to the vacant Lancing Manor ground was approved,
subject to no other applications before the end of June. Sompting
applied, as did the evicted Lancing Manor club. But in September '57
the Council confirmed that WOG would be the new tenants of the Manor
Ground in Lancing. WOG were not impressed with the square (which in
truth was partly why the previous tenants were evicted) and even
thought of moving it's square from Forest Road, turf by turf - until
it was deemed financially just a farcical idea.
The club won only 9 of the 33 matches, drawing 2 and losing a new
record of 22. Only the 26 lost in '62 is higher.
The Annual Tour had to be cancelled due to petrol rationing. Skipper
Allen missed a period of the season after an operation and the
performances of Rickard, Akam and Allen himself were well down on
recent seasons.
Mike Graham had his most successful season for the club, 330 runs at
23 won the batting averages. His career only totalled just over 1,000
runs. Ken Batchelor impressed during his first full season (after a
brief spell in'56) in finishing 2nd in both batting and bowling
averages (194 @ 21 and 15 @ 10). A 'lanky' 19 year old left handed
naval student, John Bee, impressed in his debut season with 404 runs
at 18 and 39 wickets at 12. He had a top score of 72 to go with the
seasons' best figures of 7-42. Barry Harman made his debut and later
scored his maiden 50 for the club. His association would span some 30+
seasons. Ray Knight nipped in with 14 wickets in 47.4 overs at 6 each
to retain the Bowling Cup in a handful of games.
Adrian Snow was a hard-hitting all-rounder who hit 3x6's in his maiden
50. Derek Semmence had pre-Sussex practice in hitting 105no for WOG at
Findon. Later in the season, Rickard 5-9 and Bee 5-10 bowled Horsham
Leatherhunters out for 24.
With the tour cancelled, their hosting of 'Sussex Club and Ground'
grew a large crowd to Forest Road. WOG made a paltry 40.
1958 -
With the one year 'trial' lease taken up, WOG moved to the Lancing
Manor Ground. 43 Fixture were played - a record - with 17 wins, 6
draws and 17 defeats (as well as 3 abandoned) the first season at the
Manor proved to be substantial and not without its success on and off
the field. 13 new members had joined, some of whom would contribute
much and the West Country tour was back on too. Within a couple of
games the square became an embarrassment. The surface became simply
dangerous and visiting sides often complained. More so if they were
beaten of course! Storrington stormed off to their coach without
accepting Allen's apology or offer of drinks. Allen then broke his
thumb himself during another match. 22 year old Johnny Evans had a
match to remember against Old Manorians with 62 and 7-31. He'd been
promoted from his usual position of 9 to 3 to give it a whack and he
did. Those remained his career best performances. He ended with 40
wickets at 7.95 each. Ray Knight won the bowling averages for the 3rd
consecutive year. Virtually unplayable he took 61 wickets at 6.38 each
with 7 hauls of 5w+ including a best of 8-14 against Keymer & Hassocks
who made 46 and 7-9 as Southwick made 28.
In a special feature in the papers during May, Lancing Athletic and
WOG argued over who nurtured Les Lenham's early career. Athletic had a
team photo from 1951 that included a lad with a large sun-hat said to
be Lenham. In 1952 he played a full season with WOG. Athletic won the
'debut', but WOG provided the platform for him to go on to Sussex CCC.
It could also be said that as Knight and Lenham spent their summer
holidays playing on the Lancing Manor outfield that both their careers
'came back home' when WOG moved to the Manor.
The touring party was said to have more guests than WOG members yet
again - make of that what you will. Appearing in one game was to be
Len Punter, who'd left WOG for Old Azurians for 1952. No record is
known of his performance, if he did play. Other tourists included
guests from Ferring, Arundel and other Azurians too.
During the main season, Geoffrey Bee (John's brother) joined the club
and was to play in over 30 matches. (John was soon to be Australia
bound). Ken Batchelor, Alan Adams (300+ runs) and Frank Allen all
played 30+ matches too. Allen had one of his best seasons' with the
bat and ended the top run-scorer with 433 with 2 fifty's - his first
since 1937. His average of 16 was some 13 below the winning average,
by Dave Rickard, whose 416 at 29 that won him a final Batting Trophy.
He had 3 scores of 50+ and yet another (his 6th) match double of 50
runs and 5w. His 29 wickets cost a high (for him) 17 runs each. This
was to be Rickard's last season for WOG and he retired, aged just 41.
His all-round record will surely not be beaten. In around 300 matches
he scored 5,265 runs at 20.25 with 2x100 and 27x50. He also took 66
hauls of 5 wickets or more in reaping 768 at less than 9 each. His
9-11 remains the best figures. The 146no stood until 1983 as the top
individual score too. He played as goalkeeper for many years for WOG
FC and it is perhaps an injury that saw him finish. Maybe he didn't
like the Manor. His batting was always described as 'hard-hitting' (he
was once out in the first over of a match for 14!) The bowling
figures, simply irresistible. At the time of his leaving he had scored
more runs, taken more wickets, played more games and held both the
batting and bowling records. 6 seasons lost to WW2 significantly
reduced the final totals by feasibly a third.
1959 -
WOG's second season at their Lancing Manor home saw a record 44
fixtures played through the season, with 18 wins, 5 draws and 21
defeats. Not a surprise with so many matches that runs and wickets
were at high levels too. For only the second time of three occasions
ever, three bowlers took over 50 wickets each. Frank Allen 53 at 16,
Tom Dix 53 at 14 and Ray Knight with 58 at 7.9. Head and shoulders
above the rest of the bowlers again to win the Averages for the 4th
consecutive year.
Considering Allen 228.5, and Dix 218.1 bowled more than Knights 156
overs, the strike rate of 16 was some 10 fewer than any of the six
other bowlers who qualified. Over the weekend of 16/17th May he took a
combined 15.1-9-19-14. He took 7-10 against Coalville, who made 34,
with a 3-wicket maiden. The next day his 7-9 included a Hat-Trick then
the next 4 wickets in his next over against Sussex Downs who managed a
paltry 14 all out! Tom Dix in his debut season supported Knight's
fast-left-arm with medium pace and had the astonishing figures of 9-15
against Worthing 'A' who must have collapsed to 103 all out.
In a season of new blood, teenager Keith Forshaw took 6-9 and 14 year
old Tony Harding 4-17. Forshaw ended with 39 wickets too and with Phil
Akam taking 33 wickets there were eight bowlers who achieved a 5+
wicket haul during the summer.
Keith's elder brother Graham won the Batting Averages with 194 runs at
23 in 12 innings. Frank Allen's 38 innings saw him hit a personal best
758 runs at 19.95 with a couple of 50+ scores. Geoff Bee, Knight, Alan
Adams, Phil Akam, Arthur Patience and newcomer Bill Garland all scored
200+ runs. Garland and Allen put on a record 141 for the 1st wicket.
Against Ferring the last pair of Don Ambrose and John Stevens put on
48 unbroken for victory with two minutes spare.
Other club matters saw a soil analysis reveal the square being almost
solid clay, so the club had a huge job of improving that.
The club appealed again in the press for new players, "We have the
lowest playing membership since the club was formed in 1922" said
Allen, during one of his regular statements to the press. He stressed
the club had traditions to uphold and a strong fixture card to
maintain. He blamed age and employment as reasons - Rickard had
retired, Robin Parsons was in the forces, Ray Knight could only play
Saturdays (still took 58 wickets!) and Ken Batchelor was now working
in London.
In May the club discovered an Oil Painting above the fire place in the
Corner House (Sussex Potter). This painting came into the clubs' hands
during the summer of 2011 when a local firm of Solicitor's donated it
to the club having had it on their office wall for more years than
anyone could remember. It now takes pride of place on the present
pavilion wall.
The club 'toured' for the sixth time, again to the West Country.
Taking in fixtures against Shaftsbury, Midsomer Norton, Shaftsbury
Grammar School, Dorchester Casuals and finally, Crewkerne. Allen's
6-16 won against Shaftsbury for first time in five attempts. The
touring squad again consisted of 50/50 WOG/guest players.
Other match highlights saw Amberley out for 30, a 10-wicket defeat
against MD Neligan's XI and a weekend to forget against Findon and
Slinfold when they lost by 207 and then 156 runs. On three other
occasions WOG lost by 100+ runs.
In September the wicket was aligned North-South for the final three
games of the season. The first two matches saw scores of 182-6, 181,
207-7 & 191-9 before the last saw 137-9 play 68. The idea was shelved
for the winter and another decade.
1960 -
Fixtures were reduced to 35 with only 9 won, 4 drawn and that record
equalling 22 defeats. (1962 was soon to break it). No formal averages
were published in the press, but the results and individual
performances were clearly below the standard seen previously. The tour
had to be cancelled through lack of member’s interest, which didn't go
down well with the committee. The club were granted a further 3+2 year
lease of the ground, after which the ground had to be leased 'season
by season'.
A groundsman had been employed to maintain the square all year. The
club had been granted permission to use the 'mortuary' in the basement
of the Manor House, electricity and running water was to be supplied.
Annual subs were to be replaced by a match fee instead in order to
generate additional income. During May, Les' brother Keith Lenham made
his debut.
The second half of the season saw the addition of Billy Minns (break
from Durham Uni) and schoolboy Richard Lloyd-Evans who proved to be
very useful indeed. Tadworth were bowled out for 17 with Keith Forshaw
5-5 and Allen 3-11 taking wickets.
Ian Pitt, who as a 17 year old won the Batting Averages in 1955,
returned after four years service in the Rhodesian and Nyasaland
Federal Army to play the odd game. Goring hit 232-0 in 107 minutes in
31 overs before WOG succumbed at 80. The previous day WOG had
scratched with only eight available. That same number had caused the
tour to be cancelled.
A ten-wicket defeat to old adversaries, Old Azurians in early May
formed part of sequence of only 2 wins in 15 matches.
Les Lenham returned for the match at Burgess Hill, where with Allen he
put on 100 for the 1st wicket as both made 60's. He then bowled
off-spin to take 5-33. The season did see the odd highlight, Bill
Garland's 8-33 won against West Hove and Lloyd-Evans' 7-14 saw Ferring
dismissed for 40. Allen's 5-1 rolled Amberley for 53 before he joined
Lloyd-Evans in helping WOG win by 10 wickets. Strangely those figures
had overtaken Forshaws' 5-5 as the best ever 5-for analysis of only
weeks before.
What we do know statistically is that Allen scored just short of 300
runs and took over 30 wickets, with 2 half-centuries and 3 hauls of 5+
wickets, including a best of 7-28. Akam 7-33 and Knight 6-44 also did
well. Geoff Bee had been leading the Averages at the time of his
finishing his season - again over 230+ runs are known. Pitt 62, Knight
50no, and Allen with another 60 all passed 50's. The lack of averages
sees the record of the season at minimal levels, although the results
and details therein do not suggest anyone took 50 wickets or scored
over 500 runs.
A season to forget in terms of results they had and also the
individual performances on the field.
The December AGM saw press reports of a 'blow out' at the club which
resulted in 3 committee members resigning and leaving the club. Frank
Allen was said to be at the heart of the dispute. No details were
given.
It transpired later that the Club Chairman, Cyril Childs' 30 year
association with the club had come to an abrupt and sad end.
1961 -
PL 43, Won 11, Drawn 7, Lost 19, Abb3 - Included here were 10 all-day
fixtures. What a difference a year makes.
What a difference having a classy batsman makes. Ian Pitt had now
returned fully and the 23 year old stormed the Batting Averages with
635 runs at 27.6. He scored his first hundred for the club, 103, as
well as hitting 3 other half-centuries.
Supported by the returning Ken Batchelor, 433 at 21, Geoff Bee, 295 at
18 and 600 between Lloyd-Evans and Allen, WOG returned to form. Ray
Knight was still only playing once a week due to his Policeman duties
and won his 5th Bowling Cup (he may have won it in 1960 too, so
possibly 6th in a row) - with 25 wickets at 8.4 each, with a best of
7-33. Dix returned to form too with 44 at 10.9 with 7-38 his best.
Akam 23, Pitt 35, Allen 25, Batchelor 29 and Lloyd-Evans 25 all took a
generous helping of wickets. Lloyd-Evans' 5-105 still stands as the
most expensive 5-for analysis - a year after Allen's record low of
5-1.
The return of Ian Pitt also saw his fast bowling friend, Tony Watts,
move from Worthing CC to WOG. His 17 wickets at 14 each was just a
glimmer of what the next five seasons would bring.
An innovation this year was a periodical newsletter. A pre-season
'dance' attended by some 130 members, wives and friends had been
organised in order to raise funds for crockery, cutlery, table-cloths
etc, as the club wished to provide it's own teas.
By April the brick building adjacent to the Manor House known as the
'mortuary' (as it had been previously used by the St. John Ambulance
Brigade), had been transformed into a lounge and separate kitchen.
Carpeted, a large settee and a three piece suite as well as other
furnishings made for a splendid lounge indeed. The kitchen had 'mod
cons' including 'Harlequin' crockery. One drawback was the discovery
of a rat that had been living in back of the settee!
Playing membership had risen to 36. The members, plus the groundsman
had improved the wicket enormously. After the first match the new
'clubhouse' was opened with a party. The Train carriage building
overlooking the ground was (apart from one room used by visiting
cricketers to change); the sole residency of the Crown Bowlers who had
taken a firm hold after earlier disputes with the previous cricket
club and now permitted very little access. Such a shame it couldn't
have been fully shared.
By June a licence had been granted for a bar and the social club was
now fully operational. A new mower was purchased at a cost of £40 and
the new 'covers' were being used to protect the wicket. How times have
changed.
After the last game of the season some 50 cricketers + friends
attended the end of season party. Raffle prizes improved club funds.
In November the clubs' second annual all-male supper was held at the
Cricketers. 38 members and guest attended.
The guest speaker was Mr Charles Homan, a Worthing Solicitor. I guess
he meant something to someone at the time.
After a player dropped out on the morning of a game, Les Lenham just
happened to be available; he eased to 98, before being bowled in the
last over before tea. It was a fortnight before his 25th birthday. The
all-day game against New Haw turned into a two-innings match after
both teams' had been bowled out for sub 60 scores. Gerry Dawson's
debut season was marred by a broken hand having fallen in delivering a
ball. There were Seven Ducks in WOG's 120 all out at Amberley as Ian
Pitt stood firm with 80 not out. Short of players, Allen called County
coach George Cox for help. He provided 18 year old Barry Brown (5-24)
and Peter Shade (who made 8no in 70 minutes to draw the game).
15 year old Wicket-Keeper-Batsman, Dave Peskett had promising press
reports.
In June press, a feature on a local 'Cricket Captain' focussed on
Frank Allen, complete with photo and sporting history. It noted that
in 1962 Allen would be completing 25 years service and would be
rewarded, traditionally, by the club with a gold watch.
1962 -
Another full summer for WOG saw 37 matches played. However, a club
record 26 losses that still stands today must have been demoralising
for the players. Just 7 wins and 4 draws saw any respite from a series
of heavy defeats. It wasn't until the 19th match of the season, 15th
July that the first game was won. September saw 4 wins. At least
ending on a high of sorts.
One critical factor was the loss of Ray Knight - 5 time (possibly 6)
winner of the bowling averages had left the club for Goring in May. It
is not clear whether he was frustrated with the squad, but he wasn't
averse to such change. Press around the same time reported that when
'rested' by his Football Club, he immediately sulked and went
elsewhere 'to feel wanted'.
His 9 year association with the club 1953-61 saw 265 wickets at less
than 9 each. With 15 hauls of 5 wickets in his recorded 96 matches. If
you were to treble those figures into 288 matches & 795 wickets, you
have similar to those of Rickard, 281 matches & 767 wickets! However
you compare them, they rightly sit at the top table of bowlers the
club has had.
Rickard had been replaced by Knight. Now Knight was to be replaced by
Tony Watts, who in fewer seasons took more wickets than Knight. After
Watts’ departure, Russell Wood took on the mantle, followed by John
Coles. 'Great' bowlers all.
It is however another season where full averages are missing. However,
there is much to be gleaned from the results and reports from the
papers. Watt's is seen to have taken 62 wickets at under 10 each, with
best of 6-12, 5-15 and 5-19.
17 year old Phillip Neller stood up too, his 20 cheap wickets
supporting Watts. Phil Akam, Ian Pitt and before his return to Dublin
Uni, Adrian Snow, all took double-figures of wickets too. New players
R Day and D Atkins also took 6-fors.
The undoubted batting star was Ken Batchelor who in 18 reported
innings scored 555 runs at 37 with 4 half-centuries. We are not aware
of his 'failures', but it is of course feasible that we are missing a
further 100-150 runs from his actual total. Whatever his final total,
he out performed the rest. Snow, Watts, Geoff Bee all scored 150+ runs
with new players, Brian Moore (298) and Steve Slater (209) passing the
200 mark.
It is perhaps not a coincidence that the press reporting waned from
this season onwards - as there was another significant loss to the
club on the playing field. Frank Allen who had played since 1937 - and
had voiced his concerns that new players were needed in pre-season
press, failure to be highlighted at all in any of the games. For such
a central player not to have scored a 'double figure score' or take a
'2-for' - which were the minimum requirements to be noted in any match
reports - suggest he missed the entire season or those few matches he
did play he simply failed miserably. He returned for a few final games
in '63.
February press highlighted that for club that had been one of the
strongest in the district they had slipped and the impressive fixture
list was possibly something they may not retain. Weekly nets were held
at Field Place on Wednesday evenings.
In May the club bought a motor mower. The club was also granted
permission to lay a concrete wicket. East of the 'East' trees.
At the December '62 AGM, it was agreed that annual subscriptions for
1963 of 30 shillings could be paid in 3 instalments of 10 shillings on
1st May, July and September. Match fees were to remain at 1 shilling.
Frank Allen resigned as captain. He was elected president. Tony Watts
would be Captain. Ken Batchelor became Team Secretary and Fixture
Secretary. Freddie Greenwood became Vice-Captain. He'd achieve nothing
on the field of play of note.
1963 -
Fixture had reduced to 36 - however performances again waned - Only 7
wins and 6 draws were salvaged from a season that saw 22 losses.
However, there was the excitement of a rare tied game.
Again a season of minimal statistic record - no averages were printed
in the two Worthing papers or the County Handbook which all had been
reliable sources over the years. The match reports did note scores of
10+ and notable bowling performances. From those, as they were in
1962, the Batting and Bowling stars were Ken Batchelor and Tony Watts.
Batchelor scored nearly 300 runs in 10 innings, 3 which were not out,
with top scores of 74no and 59no. Watts took 72 wickets at a single
figure average with 5 hauls of 5 wickets or more. He took 4 on 7
occasions too. 12 matches of 4+ which is excellent.
Only Dawson, Neller and in debut season, Neil Hewitt, took significant
15+ hauls. Watts certainly carried the attack.
New players Richard Harvey, David Thomas, Stan Hawkden all scored 100+
runs. Brian Moore again with 200 and David Peskett with 233 had their
moments. Indeed, Peskett's 90 was the clubs top score of the summer
and would remain Pesketts top 1st XI score - although he would pass
three figures for the 2nd XI nearly 30 season later!
WOG scored only 28 chasing Old Azurian's 150. The next day they made
43 chasing the 112 of Southwick. That weekend was soon forgotten the
Saturday after when they bowled West Chiltington out for 27. Watts 5-6
and Neller 4-19 chief destroyers.
In mid August 62 all out was followed up the next day with 33 at home
to Ashdown. So it continued with only the odd score of 100+ amongst
others of 55, 75, 54, 82 and 84. Little wonder the average match score
of 107 saw more defeats than wins.
From January indoor nets were held at Field Place. In April the Chief
Public Health Inspector reported the club regarding the need for
satisfactory sanitary conveniences at their social club. The matter
was reported to the 'Beaches and Open Spaces Committee - who were to
look into it and issue a report. No further reports that the
facilities were improved.
In a match with West Chiltington, chasing 115 for victory, WOG
collapsed from 108-6 to 113-9. With the scores then level the last
wicket feel with 2 balls of the last over remaining. In August the
club was promoting the upcoming benefit match to be played against
Sussex CCC at the Manor. Rev David Sheppard and Ian Thomson were
hoping to get Frank Worrell or other touring West Indians' to play
too. That failed to happen, but the club were granted permission for
cars to park round the boundary and 600 deck-chairs were provided by
Sussex Cricket Welfare Association. The match raised £105. The
publicity saw 4 touring teams asking for fixtures. That's club sides,
not International teams! Through this season the club had struggled
for players and funding, but this glamour match had done much to turn
the tide. The match itself saw Sussex CCC ramp up 223-6 with Ken
Suttle 55, Sheppard 41 top scorers. WOG's Hewitt took 2-36 in 10
overs, including Suttle, to impress the Sussex players and large
crowd. WOG were rolled over for 83. Batchelor with 19 and the guest,
Ken Dalmon, 29, were the top scorers. This glamour match cause
internal argument as more and more guests turned out for WOG meaning
members being dropped. Frank Allen's record: 300 matches, 3760 runs &
515 wickets is similar to Foinette's, but way behind Rickard's.
1964 -
Another disastrous season saw 20 defeats from 35 matches. Just 6 were
won and 5 drawn.
Watts (50), Dawson (33) and Hewitt (16) did their best with the ball -
8 hauls of 5 wickets between them, as they all had averages in single
figures, but the continuing issue was the lack of runs. Watt's had
expressed to the press that 'the club needed more bowlers, more
batsman and simply more players!'. Frank Allen had definitely left the
club now too, to a place unknown.
Dawson did have a chance of an all-ten performance after taking the
first 9 (11-2-35-9), but Roger Spells nicked out the last man to deny
any record breaking. Watts had carried the bowling for a couple of
seasons now and the pressure got to him and he resigned the Captaincy
and his position on the Committee saying he was being left to do too
much. Derek Rice took over for the remainder of the season, with
Dawson as Vice-Captain. In July Watt's was selected for the Club
Cricket Conference Presidents XI for the match at Arundel. It
confirmed his standing in weekend cricket and how lucky WOG were to
have him.
In the all-day match at Hatch End, Brian Moore scored 29 in just short
of 2 1/2 hours. It simply delayed the inevitable loss.
In November a bomb exploded in the pavilion but the damage was not
particularly serious. The club had sought a 7-year lease.
Run-scoring was at a premium - only 5 recorded half-centuries were
reported in the press, Adrian Snow's 76 being the highest with 75
being the higher of the two by Richard Harvey. Half-season skipper,
Rice showed his mettle too with 67.
A pitiful 25 all out at Amberley during May could have been worse not
for Roy Loveland's 18. Representing 72% of the total.
Match totals of 52, 64, 86, 97, 76, 91 and 89 (in a 10 wicket defeat
to Burgess Hill) tell the continuing tale of frustration.
The match at Southwick, chasing 120, saw WOG slump to 35-9 before the
last pair of Hewitt and Varndell slogged to that 64.
On 7th February 1965 it was decided to change the name to Manor
Cricket Club. Voting had been 7-6 in favour of change.
The AGM in November 1964 had seen the proposal rejected by a single
vote too.
It was agreed that for 1965 and 1966 both the Old and New names would
be on the fixture card. It was hoped that despite the case being so
for many years, the club was not solely accepting old school boys as
members, but anyone wishing to play the game. On field in 1965 the 30
reported matches, 9 were won, 5 drawn and 16 lost. New players
arrived.
The Club Lounge was 'always crowded' and the spirit of the club had
been considerably lifted. New players included Mike Reynolds and
Graham Hill (Athletic), John Carver (Littlehampton), Chris Lyons
(Sompting) and Len Cheshire (Hendon). Reynolds would eventually
Captain through the 70's.
The highlight of the 1965 season was again Tony Watts. He reached 100
wickets in the last match of the season.
His figures were noted as being: 355 overs, 124 maidens, 683 runs, 100
wickets - for an Average of 6.83. Less than 2 an over.
In the two matches against West Chiltington his combined figures were
a startling 24-13-17-16 as he followed 12-7-6-8 in the away match with
12-6-11-8 in the home fixture. He also took 8-12 to become the only
bowler ever to take 3x 8 wicket hauls in a single season. That Dawson
and Hewitt took 44 & 32 recorded wickets too, with 5 & 4 hauls of 5w+
too, the bowling was again as strong as it had ever been. With Lyons'
debut season also seeing a single-figure bowling average it is a
wonder how the opposition scored anything to defend. But as before,
the oppositions' 12 runs per wicket was more than Manor's 9.9 per
wicket. That figure is the lowest ever 'club' average runs per wicket
apart from 1922 and 1925.
Manor had scores of 41, 38, 54, 73, 57 and 59. The 59 was against
Sussex CCC who having struggled against Manor's bowling themselves,
decided to unleash their County bowlers fully. The nadir was 19 all
out against Petworth Park, whose own press reports were damming in the
extreme. No full averages were recorded, but Moore, David Lewis,
Reynolds, Hill all scored 150-250 runs. Les Lenham appeared in the
last match of the season, duly hitting the first hundred since Pitt's
in 1961 with 102no.
He hit 5 sixes in all - one of which landed on the roundabout. The
name had changed, but the spirit of the members continued.